(Middletown, DE 19709) On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at approximately 6:25 p.m., officers were dispatched to the unit block of Fairview Avenue in the Fairview Farms neighborhood for a reported burglary. Upon arrival, officers observed suspicious footprints around the residence that led to a forced entry into the home. The victim also reported that several valuable items were missing from inside the residence.

On Friday, February 28, 2026, at approximately 11:10 a.m., officers were dispatched to another residence in the unit block of Fairview Avenue for a reported attempted burglary. Fortunately, the suspect did not enter the home and fled the area immediately.

Due to the similarities between the incidents, Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Unit were notified and assumed responsibility for the investigation.

Through a thorough investigation, Detectives identified and linked 35-year-old Eric Skipski of Middletown as the suspect in both incidents. As the investigation continued, Detectives located and recovered some of the stolen property at a local pawn shop.

On Thursday, March 5, 2026, officers located Eric Skipski at his residence on Fairview Avenue. He was taken into custody and transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with the following offenses:

• One felony count of Burglary in the Second Degree
• One felony count of Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree
• One felony count of Selling Stolen Property
• Two misdemeanor counts of Criminal Mischief over $1,000
• One misdemeanor count of Theft Under $1,500

Eric Skipski was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $23,200.00 secured bail.

Eric Skipski – 35

(Wilmington, DE 19803) – The New Castle County Division of Police is providing an update regarding the officer-involved shooting that occurred on March 3, 2026, in the unit block of Ramsey Road.

The 35-year-old male involved in the incident has been identified as Daniel Shacklett of Wilmington.

As part of the ongoing investigation, Daniel Shacklett’s body has been turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science.

As this remains an active investigation, anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Lieutenant Seth Polk of the Criminal Investigations Unit at (302) 395-8112 or via email at Seth.Polk@newcastlede.gov. Tips can also be submitted by calling the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at (302) 573-2800.

For additional details related to the initial release, please visit:

(Wilmington, DE 19803) – On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at approximately 3:50 p.m., officers with the New Castle County Division of Police responded to the unit block of Ramsey Road for a report of shots fired within the residence.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the reporting person, who stated that while inside the residence, he heard multiple gunshots and observed his 35-year-old male acquaintance in possession of a handgun. The reporting person, the only other occupant of the residence at the time, immediately fled to safety and called 911. Arriving officers continued to hear gunshots coming from inside the residence.

Due to the circumstances, the Division’s Crisis Management Group, which includes members of the SWAT and Crisis Negotiations Team, was activated and responded to the scene. While on location, members of the group continued to hear multiple gunshots coming from inside the residence. As the situation evolved, officers positioned on the perimeter experienced rounds being fired in their direction.

Officers from the Crisis Management Group employed multiple tactics, including phone calls, text messages, and using a loudspeaker, to attempt to gain voluntary compliance and safely resolve the situation. However, these efforts were met with continued refusal to comply and ongoing gunfire.

At approximately 7:47 p.m., the 35-year-old white male exited the residence, armed himself with a shovel, and began swinging it toward officers. Officers attempted to use multiple less-than-lethal force options, including a Taser energy weapon and non-lethal impact munitions; all were ineffective. The male went back inside the residence, retrieved several knives, and exited the residence, continuing to ignore the officers’ commands.  The male began advancing toward the officers with the knives, at which point several officers discharged their firearms, striking him.

Paramedics on scene provided immediate medical care, but the male was later pronounced deceased. His identity is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin.

There were no reported injuries to any officers or other individuals involved in this incident.

All officers involved in this incident have been placed on administrative leave in accordance with New Castle County Division of Police policy.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. In accordance with departmental policy, the Division will conduct an internal investigation in coordination with the Delaware Department of Justice Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact Detective Lieutenant Seth Polk of the Criminal Investigations Unit at (302) 395-8112 or Seth.Polk@newcastlede.gov. Information can also be submitted by calling the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at (302) 573-2800.